Very low-energy diets pass muster for teens with obesity: findings
The diets work but little is known about their acceptability or side effects, say authors.
Doctors can rest assured about suggesting very low-energy diets for teenagers with obesity, provided the intervention is monitored by a health professional, Australian researchers say.
The University of Sydney team also report that many adolescents find the month-long diet of just 800 calories per day to be acceptable, despite most experiencing common side effects such as hunger and fatigue.
Their findings, which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice, Italy in May.
Although very low-energy diets (VLEDs) can result in substantial weight loss in teenagers, data on adverse events and the impact on growth had been lacking, the researchers said in a media statement.
